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What are you in the mood for?

Tell us what you are craving and we will do the rest. The suggestions shift as you choose, and each one says why it appeared and what balances it at the table.

This section is currently available in Turkish and English.

Pick a craving (You can choose more than one.)

Something sweetsyrupy, milky, lightly sweet Something sourlemony, tempered, yogurt-based Something hotisot pepper, chili flakes Something saltycheese, cured meat Spice-forwardcinnamon, cumin, garlic Lightolive oil, vegetables, cool Fillingmeat, dough, oven-baked Refreshingyogurt, mint, served cold

Dietary preference

all Vegetarian Vegan Gluten-free clear selection

Hot and refreshing is a good pair: a yogurt-based side next to a spicy plate is the way to balance it.

9 suggestions

Etli Yaprak Sarma
Es ist eine wärmere Variante der gefüllten Weinblätter, die auf einer Basis von Fleischbrühe und Joghurt serviert wird; die rohe Füllung wird zusammen gekocht.
Why this: Something sour → yoğurtlu · Spice-forward → salçalı · Something salty → salçalı · Filling → orta ağırlık · Refreshing → yoğurtlu
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Kayseri Manti
Kleine Teigtaschen mit Hackfleisch werden gekocht und mit Joghurt und heißem, tomatensaucenartigem Öl serviert. In der Tradition von Kayseri gilt die Größe der Manti als Maß für das Können des Kochs.
Why this: Something sour → yoğurtlu · Spice-forward → salçalı · Something salty → salçalı · Filling → orta ağırlık · Refreshing → yoğurtlu
Table balance
To drink
Ayran or plain tea; a sweet drink beside pastry brings on fullness sooner.
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Stuffed Dried Eggplant
Ein Klassiker aus der Südostküche, bei dem das Trocknen von Sommergemüse in die Winterküche überführt wird; das Aroma von getrocknetem Auberginen unterscheidet sich von frischen.
Why this: Something hot → isot-aromalı · Something sour → ekşili · Spice-forward → isot-aromalı · Filling → orta ağırlık
Table balance
Alongside
Cacık or plain yogurt: dairy tames chili heat far faster than water does. Plain rice or fresh bread rounds the acidity and steadies the plate.
Afterwards
After a spice-forward plate, a plain herbal infusion clears the palate.
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İskender Kebab
Herkesin bildiği Bursa kökenli bir yemektir; döner, pide üzerine tereyağı ve domates sosuyla, yanında yoğurtla servis edilir. 19. yüzyıl sonunda İskender Efendi adıyla anılan ustalık geleneğine dayanır.
Why this: Something sour → domatesli · Filling → doyurucu · Refreshing → yoğurtlu · gehalt
Table balance
Alongside
Pickles or an onion-and-lemon salad: acidity cuts the fat and lightens the plate. Grilled pepper and tomato with sumac onion is the classic foil to the smoke of the fire.
To drink
Ayran (salted yogurt drink) or turnip juice — the classic partner to a rich meat plate.
Afterwards
Plain brewed tea; if you still want dessert, keep the portion small and wait a little.
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Şalgam
Ein Getränk aus Adana-Mersin, das aus lila Karotten, Şalgam und Bulgurmehl fermentiert wird; es begleitet Kebabs und Çiğ Köfte.
Why this: Something hot → acılı · Something sour → ekşili · Spice-forward → acılı
Table balance
Alongside
Cacık or plain yogurt: dairy tames chili heat far faster than water does. Plain rice or fresh bread rounds the acidity and steadies the plate.
Afterwards
After a light main there is room for a syrupy dessert in this meal.
Easy to miss
Iced water only masks the heat for a moment; it comes back quickly.
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Mahmudiye
Ein süß-salziges osmanisches Gericht, bei dem Hähnchen mit Aprikosen, Trauben, Mandeln und Honig gekocht wird; es trägt die Tradition der fruchtigen Fleischgerichte der Palastküche in die Gegenwart.
Why this: Something sour → meyveli · Spice-forward → tarçınlı · Something salty → tatlı-tuzlu · Filling → orta ağırlık · süß
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Tirit
Ein Gericht, das altbackenes Brot mit Fleischbrühe, Joghurt und Paprikaöl zu einer Hauptspeise verwandelt; es kann nicht auf eine einzige Stadt oder Fleischsorte beschränkt werden.
Why this: Something sour → yoğurtlu · Filling → doyurucu · Refreshing → yoğurtlu
Table balance
Alongside
Pickles or an onion-and-lemon salad: acidity cuts the fat and lightens the plate. Grilled pepper and tomato with sumac onion is the classic foil to the smoke of the fire.
To drink
Ayran (salted yogurt drink) or turnip juice — the classic partner to a rich meat plate.
Afterwards
Plain brewed tea; if you still want dessert, keep the portion small and wait a little.
Open the record Where to eat
Ali Nazik
Ein Gericht aus der Küche von Gaziantep; geröstete Auberginen werden mit Knoblauchjoghurt püriert, darauf kommt sautiertes Fleisch oder Hackfleisch. Das Aroma des Röstens vereint sich mit der Frische des Joghurts auf einem Teller.
Why this: Something sour → yoğurtlu · Spice-forward → közlenmiş · Filling → orta ağırlık · Refreshing → yoğurtlu · gehalt
Table balance
Alongside
Pickles or an onion-and-lemon salad: acidity cuts the fat and lightens the plate. Grilled pepper and tomato with sumac onion is the classic foil to the smoke of the fire.
To drink
Ayran (salted yogurt drink) or turnip juice — the classic partner to a rich meat plate.
Open the record Where to eat
Antep Yuvarlaması
Ein Festgericht, bei dem kleine Reisfleischbällchen mit Fleisch, Kichererbsen und Joghurt kombiniert werden; das offizielle lokale Rezept dokumentiert die Hauptzubereitung.
Why this: Something sour → yoğurtlu · Spice-forward → naneli · Filling → doyurucu · Refreshing → naneli
Table balance
Alongside
Pickles or an onion-and-lemon salad: acidity cuts the fat and lightens the plate.
To drink
Ayran (salted yogurt drink) or turnip juice — the classic partner to a rich meat plate.
Afterwards
Plain brewed tea; if you still want dessert, keep the portion small and wait a little.
Open the record Where to eat

Suggestions are about taste balance, not health or nutrition advice. Scores are derived from each record's own flavour description.